Combined table and desk.



Nb. 723,148. PATENTED MAR. 17; 1903,

H. DUKESMITH.

COMBINED TABLE AND DESK.

APPLIGATIO'N FILED AUG, 25. 1902. .no Mon-151.; l a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES."

A TTOHNE Y 8.

mi: npnm minus 06 PNOTO-UTHOM WASHINGTON. 11cv No; 723,148. PATENTED MAR. 17.1903;

' F. H. DUKBSMITH.

COMBINED TABLE AND DESK. APPLICATION PILED 'A-UGQZfi, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOI? 2.- Frank .7.Z67(68272L%.

By W ATTORNEYS.

l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FR ANKH. .DUKESMITH, OF GHARLESTOWN, EST VIRGINIA.

COMBINED TABLE AND DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming partof LettereiPatent No. 723,148, dated March 17, 1903. Application filed August 25, 1902. $eria1 No. 120,952. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I FRANK H. DUKESMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charlestown, in the county of Jefferson and State of West Virginia, have made certain.

new and useful Improvements in a Combined Table and Desk, of which the following is a specification.

I u I n w I m My invention is an improvement in tables and desks, seeking to provide in one article a combined table and desk capable of various.

uses and adapted for difierentadjustments to suit the several uses, as will be more fully described; and the invention consists in certaln novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed. 1

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my table closed as when used for a center-table. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of: the article opened for use as a writing-desk and having the adjustable shelf drawn out to position for supporting a lamp or other article which ordinarily may be placed on top of a table. Fig. 3 isa detail vertical section on about line 3 3-0f Fig. 4., showing the inkstand. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on about line 4 4 of Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is a detail section on aboutline 5 5 of Fig. 8. Fig. 6 is a detail plan View of the letter-file. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the latch for the rocker. Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of 1 my latch. Fig. 8 is avertical section on h about line 8 8 of Fig. at. Fig. 9 is a detail Y is a detail section on about line 10 10 of Fig. 8.

The general design of the table may be perspective View of the rocker, and Fig. 10

that of the ordinary center-table, as will be understood from Fig. 1, the table having the legs A, the top frame B, the top orlid C, and

the lower board D, supported by the legs A near the lower ends thereof. The top B is which is guided the shelf E, which may slide in the nature of a frame or box,;having the rirnB and the compartment 13' dropped belowthe saidrim and having a bottom in in and out to the position shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. 2. -When in the position shown inFig. 2, theshelf E may be braced from the board D by the prop F, hinged at one end F to the shelf E and arranged at its otherend to rest position of parts shown in Fig. 4. When in the latter position, the shelf forms no projection upon the table, and yet can be readily drawn out to the position shown in Fig. 2, where it may serve to support any desired object. This shelf is especially important, being located, as it is, to receive a lamp or other object ordinarily supported on the table-top when it is desired to adjust the parts to the position shown in Figs. 2 and S, the lamp being simply removed and placed on the shelfbefore the table-top is raised.

The device F is preferably in the nature of an open spring clamp formedof two springjaws, between which the prop F is held by friction. When the shelf E is drawn out, the propF is also drawn out of the clamp F and its free end then drops upon the bottom board D, and when it reaches the edge of the operation of the prop F, whereby it is held in the diagonal position shown, is effected automatically.

The top compartment B may be utilized as a receptacle for various articles. For example, letters maybe held upon a file G (see Figs. 4. and 8) and a shaving-mug H may be arranged in the subcompartment or receptacle, as shown in Fig. 4. An inkstand I, (see Fig. 3,) in the form of a cup, may be fitted in a mortise 'i in the upper side of the top frame and normally pressed up by a spring I, so the inkstand will rise, as shown in Fig. 3, when the table-top G is lifted on its hinges C'fand will be pressed down by the said lid and closed by a pad I on the lid when the latter is lowered to the position shown in Fig. 1. h V

Arocker J shown in detail in Fig 4 is pivoted eccentricallyat J tothe table-top and operates within the compartment (see Fig.8) and maybe raised to the position shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 8 by the raising of the table-top or be lowered to lie entirely within the compartment B and below the table-top when the latter is lowered tothe.

erably includes the end plates J and a connecting-bar J the plates J being circular in form and pivoted near one end at J to the table-top and connected by the bar J which is secured to the plates J at points approximately diametrically opposite the pivotal points J. By this construction by lifting on the connectingbar J the rocker may be raised to1he position shown in Fig. 8. t The table-top. O is pivoted at C to the top frame and is connected by a chain C with the bar J so the lifting of the lid 0 will raise the rocker to the position shown in Fig. 8. This rocker as it is so lifted lifts one edge of the writing board K, and so supports the said board at an angle, as shown in Fig. 2, suitable for writing. In order to lock the rocker when raised to the position shown in Fig. 8, I provide the latch Z in the form ofa pivoted button pivoted at Z and arranged at Z to support the rocker when raised, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The latch may be readily released by the handle or pin F. The latch may consist of a spring-plate L, fixed at one end L within the compartment 13*, extending at its outer end alongside one of the end plates J and having between its ends a stud or projection L which springs out below the said end plate, as shown in Fig. 8, and thus lying below the end plate and below the pivot J thereof locks the rocker elevated when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and will hold them in such position until the latch is released, which may be effected by the pull-rod L", secured to the free end of the spring-plate L and arranged when drawn outward to pull the locking-stud L out of the path of the plate J so the rocker can lower. I

The lid 0 is provided with holders 1, 2, and 3 for envelops, paper, and pens, which holders are on the under side of the lid and are exposedwhen the lid is raised, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8.

The writing-board K seats in the closed position of the parts in a rabbet K at the upper end of the compartment 13*, and said board rests loosely in the said rabbet, so it can be raised by the rocker to the position shown in Fig. 2 when the lid 0 is raised, the board being notched in one edge at K for the passage of the chain 0 This board atfords a writing-surface on one side and may be provided with clips M to hold paper and may be provided on one side with a checkered surface for use in playing checkers or chess, as shown at N, and be supplied on its other side with a mirror 0 and alongside the same with holders 0 for razors. Thus the board may be adjusted to the angle shown in Fig. 2 for writing purposes or it may be thrown up to the position shown in Fig. 8for shaving. Further, it is preferred to detachably connect the chain (3 with the rocker by means of a hook, as shown at 0 so the lid can be raised and the rocker lowered in order to permit the board K to rest flat in the rabbet K and be exposed to enable checkers or chess to be played, as desired.

By my invention it will be noticed I provide a complete article of furniture which can be readily adjusted to suit the several purposes for which it is designed, as before described, and which when closed to the position shown in Fig. 1 will present no unusual appearance and still will afford a convenient receptacle for paper, pens, ink, shaving utensils,game apparatus, a writing-board, tile for letters, as well as a support for a center-lamp or other object which may be ordinarily carried upon a top. of a table.

A headed screw P may be provided on the lid for engagement by a notched plate P on the table-frame to lock the lid down.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A table having a top frame provided with a hinged lid and with a top compartment and having a bottom board below the said top frame, a writing-board fitting in the upper end of the top compartment, a rocker operating beneath the said board and within the top compartment and having end plates piv oted to the top frame and a cross-bar connecting said end plates at a point approximately diametrically opposite the pivot thereof, connections between the said cross-bar and the table-top, whereby the lifting of the latter may operate the rocker, a latch for holding the rocker in raised position, and

means for releasing the latch, substantially as set forth. I

2. The combination, with the table-frame, of a Writing-board seated therein and the rocker comprising end plates and a transverse connecting-bar, the said end plates being eccentrically pivoted to the table-frame, the hinged top and a device which loosely connects said top with the transverse bar, whereby, when the top is raised, the eccentrics are rotated, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination with a table-frame having a compartment in its upper side and a top hinged to the latter, of disks pivoted eccentrically to said frame below the plane of its top surface, a board for operation by said eccentric disks, and a chain which loosely connects the hinged top with the eccentrics in the manner shown and described.

4:. The combination with atable-frame having a writing-board held loosely on its upper side and a table-top hinged as shown, of eccentrics which are pivoted to the frame, a device which loosely connects the table-top with the eccentrics at a point farthest removed from their pivots, and means for arresting the rotation of said eccentrics when turned over upon their pivots, whereby they are supported at rest in a position to firmly support the writing-board in the manner shown and described.

5. The combination with a table-top and a IIS hinged top adapted to fold over the writingboard, and a rocker which is eocentricai-ly described. pivoted below the Writing-board, and means for connecting the rocker-with the hinged top, whereby, when the latter is thrown up,

' the rocker is also rotated upon its pivot,

Writingboard loosely held thereon, of a and means for locking said rocker in the elevated position, substantially as shown and FRANK H. DUKESMITH. Witnesses:

SOLON C, KEMON,

PERRY B, 'IURPIN. it 

